Neighbours dreads finding missing snake

Feb 16 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

TERRIFIED tenants are having sleepless nights after a 5ft boa constrictor escaped in a block of flats.

Shakira, a two-year-old Colombian rainbow boa constrictor, went missing from its tank on the seventh floor of St Anthony’s House in Walker, Newcastle, on Wednesday.

Police have gone door-to-door to reassure neighbours that the renegade reptile is on the loose but not a danger.

The snake belongs to Kayley Carter, 20, and Graham Hickson, 21, who live in St Anthony’s.

They returned home on Tuesday at 6pm and found that Shakira was not in her tank.

Ms Carter, a shop assistant at Booze Buster in Longbenton, said: “We were planning on selling the snake, so when we got home from work, Graham got his camera and went to take a picture of it. But he just shouted that it wasn’t there.

“She couldn’t have pushed the lid off because it was weighted down with books, so we have no idea how it got out. We’ve told people not to be scared. She’s not harmful and she isn’t venomous.”

The couple have owned the snake since last November, and it is estimated to be worth about £400.

It was bought as a Christmas present for Mr Hickson, who works at BT Vision in Longbenton. Ms Carter said: “Graham says he has three loves in his life – his computer, his snake and me. So he was quite upset when it went missing. At first it was shock and Graham was close to tears.

“It’s not the fact that it’s just a snake, it’s the amount of money we’ve spent on the snake and the tank.”

Having been kept in captivity since birth, the boa constrictor will no longer feed on live animals, opting only for dead mice.

Ms Carter said: “If I found it, I wouldn’t pick it up. It’s not dangerous, but I’m scared of snakes. … We have a few friends in the building and they keep saying that we need to find it.”

The couple were due to find a new home, but the loss of the pet has stalled their move.

Ms Carter said: “It’s stopping us moving because Graham won’t leave without the snake.”

A police spokesman said: “While the snake is a family pet and has been brought up around children, the owner is concerned that she might look intimidating.

“The reptile is not venomous and not thought to be a risk to the public.

“But we would ask anyone who sees it to leave it to the experts and ring the police or RSPCA immediately.”

Newcastle City Council has reassured tenants. Director of tenancy services for Your Homes Newcastle Neil Scott said: “Our staff will be looking for it as part of their normal patrols and we would urge residents not to worry.”

Anyone who comes across the snake should call the RSPCA on 08705 555999 or the police on 0845 604-3043.